Local News

NNP CANDIDATE FOR ST. JOHN CHARGED WITH ASSAULT

St. George’s, Grenada (July 2, 2008) A candidate of the incumbent New National Party contesting the July 8th General Elections has been charged for assaulting a secondary school student. Fitzroy Bedeau, the NNP candidate for the western constituency of St. John’s is expected to appear in the St. John’s Magistrate court July 15th.

Bedeau, a former Police Commissioner, is accused of assaulting 17 year old student Kimlee Alexander. The incident is alleged to have occurred earlier this month after a political meeting of the NNP in the constituency.

In a complaint to police Alexander claimed Bedeau attacked after he overheard her making a comment on his personal life style. The student was at the time contributing to a discussion about the former commissioner’s alleged role in a decision by police to tear gas protesting nutmeg workers several years ago.

The student’s attorney, Anslem Clouden, who had previously called for Bedeau’s arrest, has welcomed the police action against him. Seven other witnesses to the incident have also been summoned to appear before magistrate Tamara Gill on July 15th.

The ruling party had released a statement denying Bedeau’s involvement in the incident and Prime Minister Dr.Keith Mitchell says the NNP will continue to back his election campaign.  The charge against Bedeau is not expected to prevent him from contesting the elections since he has not been convicted.

Another political candidate, the United Labour Platform’s Reynold Benjamin, charged with fraud in a separate matter, is also due to appear in court later this month. .

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